Timothy: . . . . Tue, May 9, 7:59AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Good morning Expedition Teams! We have some very special Trail Guides visiting us today from National Parks. Get your questions ready - chat starts at 9am.

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:01AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Good Morning Ranger Lorna - we have some questions that have been submitted by students that we can begin working on as soon as you are ready ...

Camp Internet students: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:02AM PST (-0800 GMT)
For Joshua Trees National Park Ranger: who founded the Park, when, and what does it protect that is a special natural resource ?

Camp Internet students: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:03AM PST (-0800 GMT)
How many miles does the Joshua Tree Park cover, and is there any other area it might expand into ?

Camp Internet students: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:03AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Who pays for the upkeep of the Park ?

Camp Internet students: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:04AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What Indian artifacts have been found in the park ?

Camp Internet students: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:04AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What is the rarest plant or plants in the Park ?

Camp Internet students: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:04AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Are there any engandered animals living in the Park ?

Camp Internet students: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:05AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Do you have California Quail in the Park ? If so, what kind ?

Camp Internet students: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:05AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What is the BIGGEST animal living in the Park ?

Camp Internet students: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:06AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What kinds of snakes live there ? And which are poisonous ?

Camp Internet students: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:06AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Was there enough rain this year for a good wildflower show ?

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:07AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What are current issues the Park is facing in managing its resources so they last for future generations ?

Camp Internet students: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:09AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Do you have honred toads ? How big do they get ?

Camp Internet students: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:09AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Where does the water come from for the oasis ?

Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:28AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Joshua Tree NP was established in 1936 by President Roosevelt to protect the cultural evidence left by people who lived there and the desert ecosystem. The park can not expand without an act of Congress. The covers 800,000 acres of land which is about 2880 square miles. The taxpayers of the US pay to keep the park running. Plus the fees you pay when you enter the park, help the park for special projects like solar ampitheaters and new exhibits. All kinds of American Indian artifacts were found in the park like stone tools, arrowheads, pottery and baskets. The rarest plants in the park are on the endangered species list - the Parish's daisy. Others are the Little San Bernardino Mountain Gilia, California ditaxis, and Rock Pennyroyal. There are several animal species that are endangered or threatened or can become this - Desert Tortoise, Chuckwalla, Colorado Desert fringe-toed lizard, Flattailed horned lizard, Prairie falcon, California horned lark, Eagle Mountain scrub jay, Loggerhead shrike, Palm Springs little pocket mouse, American badger, California leaf-nosed bat, Pallid bat, Townsend's western big-eared bat, Greater western mastiff bat and Mountain Quail. We are both the Mountain Quail and Gambil's Quail in the park. The Gambil's is very common to see. The biggest animals in the park would be either the mountain lion or the bighorn sheep. The are about 20 different species of snakes in the park. Six of these species are poisonous: Pacific Western Rattlesnake, Mojave Green Rattlesnake, Sidewinder, Red Diamondback Rattlesnake, Speckled Rattlesnake, Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. In fact I saw a Speckled yesterday near my office at Black Rock Canyon Campground. We had rain in July and Feb. The Feb rain really helped create a late wildflower season which is now in full bloom. Usually fall rain create spring flowers (March and April). Since it was in Feb. we have a late flower season. The issues current facing the park are: Eagle Mountain Landfill - 1 mile from the park boundary and will be the largest landfill in the US Air Quality - we are the worst air quality of all National Parks Urbanization outside of the park boundary - much of the the park on the south, north and west is surrounded by towns. The areas are in major growth Exotic plants inside the park taking the place of native plants

Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:33AM PST (-0800 GMT)
We have two types of Horned Toad Lizards - the Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard and the Southern desert horned lizard. They do not get very big just a few inches long (no more than 5 inches). The water in an Oasis comes from underground water sources. Most, not all oases, are located along earthquake fault lines. The fault line opens up areas where water comes through to the surface. The Oasis of Mara, Mundson Canyon, Lost Palms Oasis, and Cottonwood are examples of this in the park. 49 Palms Oasis is created become of the types of rocks found in the area that stop water as it moves down a canyon.

Marcy, Camp Cousnelor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:42AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What is causing the air quality problems specifically ? and is there hazardous waste in the landfill ?

Marcy, Camp Cousnelor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:47AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What color is the mountain gilia flower ?

Marcy, Camp Cousnelor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:48AM PST (-0800 GMT)
I am goign to try to post a link to pennyroyal photos .. let's see is it works ....

Marcy, Camp Cousnelor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:49AM PST (-0800 GMT)
pennyroyal link .... button

Marcy, Camp Cousnelor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:50AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Here is a link to gilia flowers so you can see waht they look like ...button

Marcy, Camp Cousnelor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:51AM PST (-0800 GMT)
This link is to a few ditaxis plant pictures ...button

Marcy, Camp Cousnelor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:52AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Here are some AMAZING photos of the Chuckwalla that Ranger Lorna mentioned above .. button

Ayami - Paradise Home School - 6th grade: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:53AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Ranger Lorna - Have you counted the trees in the park and created a map of the trees. We are doing a GIS map of the oak trees in our area for Home School science and are interested in other GIS information.

Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:53AM PST (-0800 GMT)
The air quality problems come from a variety of area. Most of it is from LA, San Bernardino, Riverside, and the surrounding areas. Coachella Valley, south of the park also has an impact on the air quality at the park. On a clear day you can see to Mt. Signal in Mexico, 100 miles awayat Keys View. This is very rare anymore. The visibility is getting worse at the park. As for the landfill, it is trash from LA, mainly household. 20,000 tons of trash will come to this landfill per day. There are several issues from the park point of view. Ravens are major predators of the desert tortoise and the numbers of raven generally increase around landfill areas. This could affect the number of the desert tortoises which is a threatened species. The could affect air and water quality of the park. Also, do we want a landfill outside of one of America's treasures? The landfill is not yet up and running. The company managing this has all it's permits. Many local citizens are fighting to stop the landfill.

Marcy, Camp Cousnelor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:53AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Slow abutton a tortoise ? well look at these photos and you will see some desert tortoise in action ....

Ayami - Paradise Home School - 6th grade: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:54AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Ranger Lorna - Are there any dangerous animals in the park?

Marcy, Camp Cousnelor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:55AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Trying to get these tortoises online again ....button

Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:58AM PST (-0800 GMT)
We have not counted the exact number of trees at Joshua Tree. We have estimated based on density of the Joshua tree and have about 5 million Joshua trees in the park. We do this by counting the trees in different types of areas (very small) and then use those numbers to estimate the number of trees in the park. The Joshua tree is the only one that we have any data on. We have several other types like scrub oak, live oak, palo verde, smoke trees, pinyon pine trees, etc.

Marcy, Camp Cousnelor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:00AM PST (-0800 GMT)
In trying to locate the plants and animals Ranger Lorna has mentioned as endangered, we find that the Berkeley digital library is missing some of them ... this suggests there is a strong need for photographers - of any age - to take pictures of these plants or animals and submit them to the Berkeley digital library so we can all see them online. Perhaps Camp Internet can help link up photographers with Rangers so we can help supply images to the Berkeley Library ? Sounds like an intersting GIS mapping project too ! Would the Park be interested in collaborating on this ?

Lisa P: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:01AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Are the fields of Joshua Trees considered a forest ? like the Saguaro ?

Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:02AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Ayami, It depends on what you mean by dangerous. Like anything, if you approach and threaten an animal, it will defend itself. Many of the animals in the park have ways to protect themselves. We have not had anymore killed by an animal in the park. We have only one snake bit in the last 5 years and that individual was trying to pick up a rattlesnake. The best advise is to watch animals from a safe distance. Remember they are wild and this is their home. The park is NOT a zoo and animals are not in catches.

Tali - Paradise Home School - kindergarten: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:03AM PST (-0800 GMT)
How do you handle fire in the park? How do you get water to put out fires if they start?

Arnie: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:04AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Are more animals out at night than in the day ? and if so, how come ?

Lisa P: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:05AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Whats the hottest its ever gotten there ? has it ever snowed ?

Morgan - Paradise Home School - 2nd grade: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:05AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What is the most commonly seen animal in the park?

Martin Zavalla: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:05AM PST (-0800 GMT)
How did you become a ranger ?

Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:06AM PST (-0800 GMT)
The park is always interested in photos and information from visitors regarding animals and plants in the park. The areas where there are many Joshua trees is referred to as the Joshua tree woodland area. Black Rock Canyon is the Joshua tree, Pinyon Pine and Juniper Woodland area. So yes, it is similar to the Saguaro as to the phrase forest.

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:07AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Ranger Lorna will be taking a Camp Internet classroom on a tour next week - what will the students be learning about ?

Tsunami - Paradise Home School - 9th grade: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:08AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Ranger Lorna - How long do Joshua Trees live?

Arnie: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:09AM PST (-0800 GMT)
How were those huge rocksformed ? and why are they so round ?

Martin Zavalla: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:10AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Do you have mines ? what did people think they would find in the mines ? did they ? anybody get rich ?

Ayami - Paradise Home School - 6th grade: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:11AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Ranger Lorna - How high are the branches of the Joshua Trees above the ground?

Tamara: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:11AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Do Indians ever come back to the park to visit their homelands ?

Lisa P: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:12AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Are there years where there are no spring rains and no flowers bloom ?

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:13AM PST (-0800 GMT)
We have visited the oasis at the 29 Palms Inn - is it connected to the oases in the park by underground water ? or are they each seperate ?

Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:14AM PST (-0800 GMT)
FIRE - Any fire in the park is suppressed or put out. You may remember Memorial Day last year when the park had the largest fire in its history which burned about 14,000. We are still learning alot about fire in the desert. The water for the fire is brought in, by 2 different ways. One is from local water sources (small holding ponds, lakes that are manmade) and the other is from individual fire trucks. The truck carry very little water. Most water is brought in by air. ANIMALS - in the hottest seasons, animals come out at night to find food. This is to prevent them from becoming too hot and to decrease the amount of water they lose. Mostly it can get very hot here in the summer - about 125 degree F. TEMPERATURE - The highest temperature in the park ever recorded was 127 degree F. In the higher elevations of the park we get snow, 3 to 4 times a year. The most common animal seen in the park is either a Gambil's Quail, Cottontail Rabbit or Jackrabbit. RANGER - I stayed hard and stayed in school and started working for the park service as a seasonal ranger/worker while I was in college.

Raul A: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:14AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What movies have been made in the park ? any X Files ?

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:19AM PST (-0800 GMT)
We saw in the news that there has been an impact made by rock climbers - are they doing serious damage to the rock formations ?

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:21AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Did Roosevelt personally visit the Park ? Or did he establish it following a recommendation ? Who made any such recommendations ? Scientists ? Anthropologists ? In other words, who helps shape legislation regarding new parks ?

Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:24AM PST (-0800 GMT)
The students next week will be learning about how early settlers survived in a land with little water, about how the rocks where formed, and about the plants and animals. JOSHUA TREES: The Joshua tree lives for about 150 years on average. The oldest is 500-700 years old. This is very new information. Most Joshua trees have branches that are anywhere from 5 - 20 feet from the ground. They did not branch like the trees you are thinking about. They only branch when there has been a flower at that site. The flower only grows if the growing stem of the tree is damaged by insects or frost, etc. ROCKS - The rocks you are thinking about where made round by erosion through water, wind and ice. Take a bunch of ice cubes and stack them in rows about 2 high. Pore water over them and watch what happens. This is similar to what happens to the rocks at Joshua Tree only it is much slower and over several hundred, thousands of years. AMERICAN INDIANS - Yes, some Chemehuevi and Cahuilla where just recently in the park. SPRING RAINS: Last year we had no fall or winter rains and almost no flower blooms. The Oasis of Mara runs from the Park headquarters over to 29 Palms Inns. It is part of the same fault line. Most of the water has move due to faulting closer to 29 Palms Inn.

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:30AM PST (-0800 GMT)
My name is Jody Lyle and I am a park ranger at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. With me today is Tom Burge, our park archeologist. We both work at park headquarters in a small town called Three Rivers. We are happy to chat with you today and try to answer any questions you have about the parks. We will also be asking you some questions that you can research on our website.

Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:31AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Lots of filming has taken place in the park. As far as I know, there has been no X files here. Yes there is some impact by rock climbers in the park. The biggest concerrn is social trailing and destruction of vertical vegetation. SOcial trailing is creating your own trail instead of staying to the established trails. THis destroys plants which cannot grow in an area that is always being walked on. Vertical vegetation refers to plant that grow on rocks. The Rock Pennyroyal (species of concern) is one such plant that is effected. ROOSEVELT - As far as I know, Roosevelt did not visit the park. Minvera Hoyt, a local citizen worked hard with other local people in creating a place where desert plants where protects. She saw people take cacti and other desert plants from the area to their homes on the coast. Many of the larger cacti like the barrel cactus are gone due to this. She worked hard and was able to create a grassroots movement to save a part of the California desert for future generations. She originally suggested calling the park Desert Plants National Park.

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:34AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Welcome to the Sequoia Kings Rangers and Scientists - students are ready to start asking questions in a minute. We also want to thank Ranger Lorna for providing such great answers to the student and teachers quesitons today about Joshua Trees. It is so important for students to learn to respect and honor the treasures the Parks preserve ..... as Lorna finishes up the remaining questions about Joshua Trees, we will move over to new questions about the equoias. Thanks everyone for participating today !

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:37AM PST (-0800 GMT)
To start the Sequoia Kings section, please tell us a little about how the Park was formed - was John Muir involved in its establishment ? Our students have also been studying Native Claifornia life in the backcountry .. please share with us information on who the first human inhabitants of the area were and who they were related to.

Ayami - Paradise Home School - 6th grade: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:37AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Ranger Jody Lyle - Is the a direct connection between the two habitats, Joshua Trees and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks?

Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:37AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Marcy, Thanks for inviting me along today! I enjoyed chatting with you. If students having other questions, please email me at JOTR_education@nps.gov. I hang on for another 5 minutes and will have to say goodbye!

Ayami - Paradise Home School - 6th grade: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:38AM PST (-0800 GMT)
To both rangers: How do you date the age of the Joshua Trees or the Sequoias?

Tsunami, 9th grade, Paradise Homeschool: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:39AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What is the sequoias root length compared to their height ? we are studying this about oak trees ...

Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:39AM PST (-0800 GMT)
JOSHUA TREES - are not like other trees that have rings. Scientists have used pictures and long term studying of certain areas and trees to estimate the age of a JOshua tree. We know that Joshua trees grow about 0-7 inches per year depending on water and temperatures.

Tsunami, 9th grade, Paradise Homeschool: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:39AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Do you provide any protection to baby sequoias when you see them sprouting up in the forest ?

Tsunami, 9th grade, Paradise Homeschool: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:41AM PST (-0800 GMT)
How did the Native Americans make use of the sequoias ? What did they eat ?

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:41AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Sequoia National Park was established in 1890 to protect the giant sequoia trees and the watersheds. It was the second national park in the country, the first in California. John Muir was active in promoting the Sierra Nevada parks, including Yosemite and Sequoia. He named our most famous sequoia grove, "The Giant Forest." It is still called that today.

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:46AM PST (-0800 GMT)
We have scientists in the park called "dendrochronologists" who study the annual growth rings of the giant sequoias. From this they can count how many seasons or years the tree has been alive. The oldest sequoia that we have documented was 3,200 years old. Many are 2,000 to 2,700 years old. These very old trees have remarkably shallow root systems. The roots might only go down 6 feet, but will extend outwards 100 feet or more. This solid base is what keep them standing.

Lisa P: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:48AM PST (-0800 GMT)
How are the sequoias different than the coast redwoods ?

Tamara: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:49AM PST (-0800 GMT)
How many acres of old growth sequoias are in the park ?

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:49AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Archeologists estimate that Native Americans, "Indians", have lived in the Sierra Nevada mountains for at least 10,000 years. We don't know the names of these earliest groups. Modern groups include the Paiutes on the "east side" and the Yokuts and Monaches on the "west side." Many Native American campsites are found in the Giant Forest or other groves. These would have been summer campsites as the snow would be too deep for year-round occupation. These Indian groups were hunters and gatherers so they relied on plant foods like acorns and animals like mule deer.

Tamara: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:51AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Before white settlers came - how many acres of old trees were there in the Sierras ? How many remain ?

Elise Conners: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:52AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What kinds of baskets did the Indians make and what did they use them for ? Do you have any in your displays ? What were they made out of ?

Arnie: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:53AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What kind of houses did the Indians make ?

Martin Zavalla: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:54AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What happened to the grizzly bears ?

Camp Team: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:54AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Valuable links for both parks - for Joshua Trees : (button button and (button button for Sequoia National Park: (button button and (button button

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:54AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Giant sequoias and coastal redwoods are related species, but you might think of them as distant cousins. The scientific name of the coastal redwood is Sequoia sempervirens. Giant Sequoia is called Sequoiadendron giganteum. Giant Sequoias are found in approximately 75 groves on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation. Coastal Redwoods are found on California and Oregon's western coast. These trees rely and the moisture (or fog) from the ocean. Sequoias are bigger overall, by volume. Redwoods are often taller than sequoias.

Arnie: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:56AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Do you know any Indian stories about the big trees ?

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:56AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Question #1 - How much taller is the General Sherman tree than the King Arthur tree? Click here button to find the answer.

Charlie Evans: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:58AM PST (-0800 GMT)
When they cut down the trees - what was the lumber used for ? houses ? railroads ?

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:00AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Originally there were approximately 35,000 acres of giant sequoia groves. After logging operations that began in the late 1800s, approximately 23,000 acres remain today. Inside Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, we preserve 10,000 of these remaining acres. Young seedlings of sequoias, like all other resources in the parks, are protected. Visitors are not allowed to remove them from the parks.

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:02AM PST (-0800 GMT)
We recently learned about Mountain Home as a State Demonstration Forest and their efforts to protect the old growth groves. Will it always be a State forest or might it ever become a part of the National Park ?

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:03AM PST (-0800 GMT)
During the time that sequoias were logged, the lumber was used for many things: grape stakes, pencils, shingles, toothpicks, fence posts and some furniture. Does this surprise you? Even though these trees were enormous, when loggers cut them down, they often shattered into many pieces when they hit the ground. Other trees that don't shatter are most often used for lumber for construction.

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:04AM PST (-0800 GMT)
With the practice of supressing forest fires, how have the Big Trees been able to reproduce ? Do you plant seedlings ?

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:07AM PST (-0800 GMT)
The Indian baskets of this area of California are considered among the very best in the world. Women almost always were the basket-makers and they had wonderful skills. Baskets were mostly used for everyday purposes such as storing food, sifting plant foods, and cooking. We have approximately 10 baskets in our collection and they represent a variety of types. The key materials for making baskets include: willow, redbud, and sedges. Today many Indian women continue the tradition of making baskets.

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:11AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Grizzly bears at one time were fairly common in the foothills, the valley, and coastal of California. With settlement, much of the habitat that grizzlies needed was lost. The remaining were hunted out of California. The last known grizzly in California was killed in the 1920s. Grizzly bears are found today in other states like Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming as well as parts of western Canada.

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:15AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Has there been any interest in returning the grizzlies to some part of California ?

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:16AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Indian houses were made out of natural materials and were usually not permanent dwellings. The houses tended to be made from bent over branches covered in bark or grass. In the villages, these structures tended to be sturdier. In the mountains and campsites, structures were often more temporary. Very little evidence of these structures remain today so we rely on the stories that were handed down from Elders. Archeologists rely on these stories, which are often found in "ethnographies."

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:18AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Mountain Home State Forest is managed by the state of California. It is very unlikely that state land would become part of a national park, which is managed by the federal government through the National Park Service.

Tanya: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:18AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Do you have any endangered plants or animals in the park ?

Wolfpack00: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:18AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Hi!!

Wolfpack00: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:19AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Yes Tanya!There are many

Wolf Pack 00: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:19AM PST (-0800 GMT)
hi

Wolfpack00: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:20AM PST (-0800 GMT)
HELLO>HELLO>HELLO>HELLO>HELLO>

Wolf Pack 00: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:20AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Hi Hi Hi Hi hI

Wolfpack00: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:21AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Poser Jeff

Wolf Pack 9O21O: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:21AM PST (-0800 GMT)
So Mollee

Wolf Pack 9O21O: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:21AM PST (-0800 GMT)
I Don't care

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:22AM PST (-0800 GMT)
After European-American settlement, most fires were suppressed in these parks. At first, park rangers believed this was a good way to protect the Big Trees. But now, we have learned that they actually need fire to reproduce. After 70 years of fire suppression, scientists began noticing the absence of younger giant sequoias. The scientists were the first to alert park managers to this problem. Today, we have an active fire management program in these parks where we ignite prescribed fires to help the Big Trees reproduce. If you ever visit us, you can now see many young seedlings in the Giant Forest that were not present 15 years ago.

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:22AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Welcome Wolf Pack - we have Sequoia Kings National Park experts online - please post questions about the Big Trees, Park, Native American or other related topics.

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:26AM PST (-0800 GMT)
It is good to hear that the new seedlings are present again - students have been asking us how the forests will last if the trees can't reproduce. We heard somewhere that the trees don't die - at least not during recent human life times - and no one knows how long they can really live. This is a very amazing concept ... has the park noted any trees dying from any natural causes ?

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:26AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have several endangered or threatened species. Among the endangered species is the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep (not to be confused with the Rocky Mountain Bighorn or the Desert Bighorn). Amoung the threatened species are the Little Kern Golden Trout and the American Bald Eagle. The eagle used to be on the "endangered" list but its status has improved. Five species have been extirpated which means they are not present here but are found other places: foothill yellow-legged frog, side-blotched lizard, coast-horned lizard, California condor, and grizzly bear.

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:27AM PST (-0800 GMT)
SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:30AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Question #2 - The Western Mono Indians occupied an area we now call Hospital Rock as early as what year? How many years ago was this? Click here button to find the answer.

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:30AM PST (-0800 GMT)
We saw a video that described the negative effect grazing herds of domesticated sheep have had on the Big Horn Sheep - introducing diseases the wild animals can not fight off. Has this been a problem in your Park ?

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:33AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Sequoia trees certainly die, as we see downed logs from long ago. Our best guess is that the most common causes of death are disease or toppling (falling over). Intense fires can kill trees but is not common due to the thick layer of protective bark on healthy trees. We really don't know how long they could live it they didn't fall over from wind, erosion, root damage, etc.

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:34AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Click on this button to see a picture of the side-blotched lizard that once lived in the Park ....

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:37AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Here is a place where you can look a bald eagle in the eye .... button

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:39AM PST (-0800 GMT)
The primary threats to Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep have been identified as predation by mountain lions and disease transmition from domestic sheep. There has been grazing of domestic sheep on the east side of these parks for decades. The National Park Service believes that removing domestic sheep grazing along the east side is the only permanent method that can protect the wild sheep. Today there are only approximately 125 Bighorn sheep left and scientific studies are continuing.

Tsunami, 9th grade, Paradise Homeschool: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:39AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Answer to question #2 - Hospital Rock had Native Americans living there in 1350 - that would be about 650 years ago

Wolfpack00: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:40AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Thanks!SEKI rangers

Tsunami, 9th grade, Paradise Homeschool: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:42AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Answer to quesiton #1 - Gen Sherman is only 4.6 feet taller than the King Arthur tree, yet one is on the top of the largest list, and one at the bottom.

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:43AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Both deer and bears are wild animals and are considered unpredictable. A visitor should never approach, or try to feed, any wild animal. In Sequoia and Kings Canyon, no one has ever been killed by a deer or bear. In Yosemite, one visitor was killed by a deer. However overall, when you consider the whole country, bears have killed more people.

Wolf Pack #01: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:45AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Thanks Marcy and SEKI rangers!

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:45AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Tsunami -- Very good! You answered both questions correctly!

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:46AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Question #6 - The National Park Service monitors park air quality for a poisonous form of oxygen called ozone. Which types of trees in the forest have shown visible ozone injury? Click here button for the answer.

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:46AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What are the current challenges the Park faces today ?

Wolf Pack #01: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:48AM PST (-0800 GMT)
I have heard and my teacher says that many people a year are killed by deer (USUALLY MULE DEER)

Tsunami, 9th grade, Paradise Homeschool: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:49AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Here is what I just found out : Studies have found that 39% of the Jeffrey and ponderosa pine trees in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks show some visible ozone injury. Tests on giant sequoia seedlings showed a significant decrease in photosynthesis and reduced growth at ozone levels 50% higher than what is already in the air.

aileen chloe @ monroe: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:50AM PST (-0800 GMT)
how many animals are at the park

Tsunami, 9th grade, Paradise Homeschool: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:51AM PST (-0800 GMT)
SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:51AM PST (-0800 GMT)
The parks are becoming very crowded with increased visitation. This means more cars, more impacts on facilities and resources. Regionally, these parks have a large air quality problem due largely to pollution sources outside our area. Pollutants from the Bay area (near San Francisco) and the Central Valley drift down to the southern San Joaquin Valley. The mountains form a barrier to this pollution so it stagnates over the parks for long periods of time, especially during the summer.

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:52AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Welcome Monroe School - we are chatting with Sequoia Kings Park - please ask them questions about their plants, animals, environment or native life.

aileen chloe @ monroe: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:52AM PST (-0800 GMT)
HOW OLD REALLY IS THE jOSHUA tREE national park and what kinds of animals do you have at the Joshua tree national park

aileen chloe @ monroe: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:54AM PST (-0800 GMT)
what do the animals eat

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:54AM PST (-0800 GMT)
We have enjoyed "chatting" with you today. We will take a few more questions and try to wrap up in 10 minutes or so. Thanks!

: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:54AM PST (-0800 GMT)
how many different types of animals live at Joshua National Park

aileen chloe @ monroe: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:55AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Are there any dangerous amimals?0

Wolfpack00: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:55AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What is the tallest tree in the park?

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:56AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Aileen and Chloe - the Joshua Trees ranger was here earlier this morning, and if you put 200 in the scorll back box, click the chat button, you can see what her answers were to student questions - and see about the field trip coming up. The trial guides on right now want questions about the giant redwood trees or Native American life in their park, which is at the southern foot of the Sierra Nevada.

aileen chloe @ monroe: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:56AM PST (-0800 GMT)
how many plants do you have

Wolf Pack #01: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:57AM PST (-0800 GMT)
I live in Lk. Arrowhead and been there a cupple of times and was wondering how many kinds of cati does the park hace?

Monroe Loren and brittney: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:57AM PST (-0800 GMT)
How old is the Joshua National Park?

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:57AM PST (-0800 GMT)
We would never be able to estimate exactly how many animals live here, but we can tell you how many different types there are. Amphibians = 11, Birds = 205, Fish = 10, Mammals = 77, and reptiles = 24. Perhaps you could research one of each type.

Monroe #38: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:57AM PST (-0800 GMT)
how many different types of animals live at Jousua National Park

Wolf Pack #01: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:57AM PST (-0800 GMT)

samantha@ Monore: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:58AM PST (-0800 GMT)
how many kinds of birds do you have. samantha

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:59AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have more species of plants than animals. There are 1,469 plant species. This includes 48 different kinds of trees.

Wolf Pack #01: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:59AM PST (-0800 GMT)
how many cati?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monroe Loren and Brittney: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:59AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Hoe many animals have you found this year?

Wolf Pack #01: . . . . Tue, May 9, 10:59AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Do you have a water supply?

Wolfpack00: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:00AM PST (-0800 GMT)
How many kinds of treesare there?

aileen chloe @ monroe: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:00AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What are you doing to restore damage area and how many animals are there in the park

Wolf Pack #01 @ LK. ARROW.: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:00AM PST (-0800 GMT)

Monroe Loren and Brittney: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:01AM PST (-0800 GMT)
What diffrent kind of animals do you have and what do they eat

Monroe #38: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:01AM PST (-0800 GMT)
what are some things that the animals eat

Wolf Pack #01 @ LK. ARROW.: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:02AM PST (-0800 GMT)
what are some things that the animals eat And places they live.

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:02AM PST (-0800 GMT)
After checking with our plant ecologist just to make sure, there are no species of native cacti in Sequoia and Kings Canyon.

Wolf Pack #01 @ LK. ARROW.: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:02AM PST (-0800 GMT)
what are some things that the animals eat And places they live?!

Monroe breane sara: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:02AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Whats the bigest tree in the park?

Wolf Pack #01 @ LK. ARROW.: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:03AM PST (-0800 GMT)
thanks

Wolfpack00: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:03AM PST (-0800 GMT)

Wolf Pack #01 @ LK. ARROW.: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:03AM PST (-0800 GMT)
n v

Monroe Loren and Brittney: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:04AM PST (-0800 GMT)
How many trees have been cut down?

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:04AM PST (-0800 GMT)
A major source of water in the snow pack in the high mountains. As it melts each spring, it feeds the rivers that carry the water all the way to California's central valley. The major rivers in the parks are: Kings, Kaweah, and Kern. This water is very important to the farms and cities of the central valley as well as the plants and animals in the parks.

Wolfpack00: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:04AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Whats the smallest tree in the park and how much does it mesure?

Monroe kk #38: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:05AM PST (-0800 GMT)
are there any dangerous animals that live there?

Wolfpack00: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:06AM PST (-0800 GMT)
How many dangerous animals are there?

SEKIrangers: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:06AM PST (-0800 GMT)
The biggest tree here is called the General Sherman tree. If you would like to know more about it, or if you have other questions, please visit our website at www.nps.gov/seki. Thanks for all the great questions!!! See you at the parks someday! Your friends, Jody and Tom.

Monroe kk #38: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:06AM PST (-0800 GMT)
how old is the park?

Wolfpack00: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:08AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Thanks!!!

Wolf Pack 9: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:08AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Thanks!!!

Monroe kk #38: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:09AM PST (-0800 GMT)
how many plants do you think live there

Wolf Pack #01 @ LK. ARROW.: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:09AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Thanks!!!

aileen chloe @ monroe: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:10AM PST (-0800 GMT)
how big do the redwood trees get?

Monroe Loren and Brittney: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:11AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Whats the smallest tree and how many pounds is it

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:12AM PST (-0800 GMT)
To Wolf Pack and Monroe - thanks for coming online today - the rangers answered all of the answers that pertained to their park. Please do visit their web sites to learn more - you would be surprised to see that the tallest trees are not neccessarily the largest for example. Keep on learning ! This closes the chat with the two parks and their rangers/scientists - thanks for attending everyone !

Monroe kk #38: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:13AM PST (-0800 GMT)
have you ever seen an animal at Jousua tree national park that you have never seen before?

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:14AM PST (-0800 GMT)
To answer the tree size questions, go to button and learn more amazing tree facts at button that also includes a VIRTUAL TOUR of the Sequoias and coastal redwoods !

Monroe Loren and Brittney: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:14AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Have ypu ever been atacked by an animal?

samantha@ Monore: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:16AM PST (-0800 GMT)
what did the native americans eat? and how did they make food

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:17AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Monroe kk #38 - we were told today about the Chuckwalla - I have never seen one but here is a picture of it button .. next time you are at the Joshua Tree Park, keep an eye out and tell us if you see one !

Monroe kk #38: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:17AM PST (-0800 GMT)
are you ever going to answer are ouestions?

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:18AM PST (-0800 GMT)
I will repost some of the rangers answers to questions from earlier ......

: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:18AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:28AM PST (-0800 GMT) Joshua Tree NP was established in 1936 by President Roosevelt to protect the cultural evidence left by people who lived there and the desert ecosystem. The park can not expand without an act of Congress. The covers 800,000 acres of land which is about 2880 square miles. The taxpayers of the US pay to keep the park running. Plus the fees you pay when you enter the park, help the park for special projects like solar ampitheaters and new exhibits. All kinds of American Indian artifacts were found in the park like stone tools, arrowheads, pottery and baskets. The rarest plants in the park are on the endangered species list - the Parish's daisy. Others are the Little San Bernardino Mountain Gilia, California ditaxis, and Rock Pennyroyal. There are several animal species that are endangered or threatened or can become this - Desert Tortoise, Chuckwalla, Colorado Desert fringe-toed lizard, Flattailed horned lizard, Prairie falcon, California horned lark, Eagle Mountain scrub jay, Loggerhead shrike, Palm Springs little pocket mouse, American badger, California leaf-nosed bat, Pallid bat, Townsend's western big-eared bat, Greater western mastiff bat and Mountain Quail. We are both the Mountain Quail and Gambil's Quail in the park. The Gambil's is very common to see. The biggest animals in the park would be either the mountain lion or the bighorn sheep. The are about 20 different species of snakes in the park. Six of these species are poisonous: Pacific Western Rattlesnake, Mojave Green Rattlesnake, Sidewinder, Red Diamondback Rattlesnake, Speckled Rattlesnake, Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. In fact I saw a Speckled yesterday near my office at Black Rock Canyon Campground. We had rain in July and Feb. The Feb rain really helped create a late wildflower season which is now in full bloom. Usually fall rain create spring flowers (March and April). Since it was in Feb. we have a late flower season. The issues current facing the park are: Eagle Mountain Landfill - 1 mile from the park boundary and will be the largest landfill in the US Air Quality - we are the worst air quality of all National Parks Urbanization outside of the park boundary - much of the the park on the south, north and west is surrounded by towns. The areas are in major growth Exotic plants inside the park taking the place of native plants

: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:19AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:33AM PST (-0800 GMT) We have two types of Horned Toad Lizards - the Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard and the Southern desert horned lizard. They do not get very big just a few inches long (no more than 5 inches). The water in an Oasis comes from underground water sources. Most, not all oases, are located along earthquake fault lines. The fault line opens up areas where water comes through to the surface. The Oasis of Mara, Mundson Canyon, Lost Palms Oasis, and Cottonwood are examples of this in the park. 49 Palms Oasis is created become of the types of rocks found in the area that stop water as it moves down a canyon.

: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:19AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Marcy, Camp Cousnelor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:42AM PST (-0800 GMT) What is causing the air quality problems specifically ? and is there hazardous waste in the landfill ?

: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:19AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:53AM PST (-0800 GMT) The air quality problems come from a variety of area. Most of it is from LA, San Bernardino, Riverside, and the surrounding areas. Coachella Valley, south of the park also has an impact on the air quality at the park. On a clear day you can see to Mt. Signal in Mexico, 100 miles awayat Keys View. This is very rare anymore. The visibility is getting worse at the park. As for the landfill, it is trash from LA, mainly household. 20,000 tons of trash will come to this landfill per day. There are several issues from the park point of view. Ravens are major predators of the desert tortoise and the numbers of raven generally increase around landfill areas. This could affect the number of the desert tortoises which is a threatened species. The could affect air and water quality of the park. Also, do we want a landfill outside of one of America's treasures? The landfill is not yet up and running. The company managing this has all it's permits. Many local citizens are fighting to stop the landfill.

: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:20AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Ayami - Paradise Home School - 6th grade: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:53AM PST (-0800 GMT) Ranger Lorna - Have you counted the trees in the park and created a map of the trees. We are doing a GIS map of the oak trees in our area for Home School science and are interested in other GIS information.

: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:20AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:58AM PST (-0800 GMT) We have not counted the exact number of trees at Joshua Tree. We have estimated based on density of the Joshua tree and have about 5 million Joshua trees in the park. We do this by counting the trees in different types of areas (very small) and then use those numbers to estimate the number of trees in the park. The Joshua tree is the only one that we have any data on. We have several other types like scrub oak, live oak, palo verde, smoke trees, pinyon pine trees, etc.

: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:21AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Lisa P: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:01AM PST (-0800 GMT) Are the fields of Joshua Trees considered a forest ? like the Saguaro ?

Monroe kk #38: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:21AM PST (-0800 GMT)
have you ever been bit by an animal

Monroe kk #38: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:21AM PST (-0800 GMT)
have you ever been bit by an animal

: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:22AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 9:06AM PST (-0800 GMT) The park is always interested in photos and information from visitors regarding animals and plants in the park. The areas where there are many Joshua trees is referred to as the Joshua tree woodland area. Black Rock Canyon is the Joshua tree, Pinyon Pine and Juniper Woodland area. So yes, it is similar to the Saguaro as to the phrase forest.

: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:24AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Monroe kk #38 ---- Like anything, if you approach and threaten an animal, it will defend itself. Many of the animals in the park have ways to protect themselves. We have not had anymore killed by an animal in the park. We have only one snake bit in the last 5 years and that individual was trying to pick up a rattlesnake. The best advise is to watch animals from a safe distance. Remember they are wild and this is their home. The park is NOT a zoo and animals are not in catches.

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:26AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Monroe - are you getting ready for your field trip next week ???

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:28AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Make sure you bring along hats, day packs with lots of bottled water, wear good solid shoes and socks, and use lots of sunscreen. We are arranging a Camp Counselor to come with you, so lets him know what you have been enjoying the most in your Camp Internet studies. Can you bring your Camp Passports along ?

CHLOE @ mONROE: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:28AM PST (-0800 GMT)
FOR QUESTION #2 IT WAS 1930

aileen chloe @ monroe: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:30AM PST (-0800 GMT)
how many plants do you have

Alexxa,Nicky gloria: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:32AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Have you had any problums

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:33AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Ranger Lorna: . . . . Tue, May 9, 8:58AM PST (-0800 GMT) We have not counted the exact number of trees at Joshua Tree. We have estimated based on density of the Joshua tree and have about 5 million Joshua trees in the park. We do this by counting the trees in different types of areas (very small) and then use those numbers to estimate the number of trees in the park. The Joshua tree is the only one that we have any data on. We have several other types like scrub oak, live oak, palo verde, smoke trees, pinyon pine trees, etc.

Marcy, Camp Counselor: . . . . Tue, May 9, 11:41AM PST (-0800 GMT)
We'll be closing the chat room shortly - please post any questions soon as it closes up at noon.

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